Aldric's gaze flickered from his blade, embedded in the sodden earth, to Dustin's calm form. Suddenly, a wave of defeat washed over him. He had nurtured lofty ambitions of shining brightly, of making a mark at the Sacred Wrym Summit Combat Tournament. And now, it struck him hard that he had overestimated his abilities.He understood that many others surpassed him in skill in this vast world. Despite his earnest endeavors, his modest talents and inflated ego proved futile.The current outcome embodied this harsh truth. Despite pouring his heart into it, he couldn't land a single strike on Dustin, who effortlessly outmatched him.This sobering realization left him struggling for composure, lost in the whirlpool of his emotions.After a brief silence, Aldric relented, "Okay, you win. I admit defeat." He struggled to speak, the weight of his admission evident in his voice.Dustin responded calmly, "Your skills are impressive. Among your peers, you're certainly exceptional."Aldric
As Aldric wandered the streets, lost in contemplation, his mind was consumed by memories of his earlier duel with Dustin. Each replay brought a stark realization—the gap in their abilities was insurmountable.Despite his relentless efforts, victory over Dustin seemed an elusive dream. No matter how many times he envisioned it, the outcome of their duel remained a bitter defeat.As Aldric wandered through the winding streets, lost in his thoughts, the steady beat of his footsteps danced with the gentle splashes of water in the puddles. Amidst his contemplation, a feeling of unease crept over him.Suddenly, he stopped and spotted a dark figure emerging at the far end of the road. Dressed in dark attire and carrying a long sword, the mysterious figure exuded an air of foreboding. Even the rain seemed to avoid touching it, veering away as if repelled by an unseen force, leaving its attire miraculously dry.Aldric's concern deepened as he confronted the mysterious figure, his brow fur
The following morning, Dustin was deep in meditation and practice. Suddenly, a sharp knock broke his concentration. He opened the door to find Dalen, Miles, Crystal, and Ruby standing outside."Dustin, something happened last night!" Miles exclaimed urgently, barely waiting for the door to open fully.Perplexed, Dustin asked, "What's going on?" He found it unusual to see them all assembled at his doorstep at such an early hour with troubled expressions."Aldric's dead! He was beheaded last night!" Miles burst out, revealing the shocking news. "Aldric?" Dustin was stunned. "The swordsman who dueled me just yesterday?""Yeah, that's the one!" Miles nodded vigorously. "They found his body this morning, headless. It seems like he was taken out with just one clean strike!""One strike?" Dustin raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "But Aldric was no amateur with a sword. Who could have had the skill to kill him so effortlessly?""Well…" Miles hesitated, uncertain how to continue.Dalen int
"If the Bloodfiery Legion wants to talk, sure, I'm open to it. But even if they don't, I'm not backing off," Dustin remarked nonchalantly.He was consistent in his demeanor, whether facing the Bloodfiery Legion, the Sword Union, or the Celestial Alliance. He was indifferent about potentially offending any of them."Dustin, I know you're strong, but remember, there's always someone stronger. You can't just go charging ahead without thinking!" Dalen cautioned, his tone sincere. He continued, "Did you know Kendricks is Aldric's brother? He's ranked eighth on the Legendary List and already at Sacred Wrym Summit. When he learns about his brother's death, he'll definitely seek revenge!"The Legendary List featured individuals of remarkable prowess. Each one was capable of dominating any situation. While Dustin was impressive, Kendricks, ranked eighth on the list, surpassed him. If Kendricks sought vengeance, Dustin's chances of success seem bleak."Yeah, Dustin!" It's better to live
Dustin and a few others exited the tavern after making the decision. They headed straight to the site of the murder. The location where Aldric met his demise lay just a short mile from the tavern. With Dustin and his companions setting a brisk pace, they swiftly arrived at the scene. Surrounding the area, a sizable crowd of onlookers had gathered alongside a group of Bloodfiery Legion disciples working to clear the space. At their helm stood a man dressed in green, his complexion pale and his gaze sharp. Despite appearing around 30 years old, he bore a broken blade on his back with an icy presence. This man was Kendricks, ranked eighth on the Legendary List. He was examining Aldric's body. His expression was inscrutable, yet his eyes revealed a simmering anger. Despite their usual lack of conversation, their bond as siblings from the same guild ran deep. With Aldric's beheading, Kendricks, as the older brother, harbored a profound sense of resentment."Who's responsible for
Kendricks acted swiftly as he issued a clear command. He was determined not to let Aldric's death be in vain. So, he ordered anyone suspected to be questioned without delay. "Get moving!"The Bloodfiery Legion disciples obeyed without hesitation. They charged forward and caused onlookers to scatter in fear."Who dares?" Miles exclaimed.He drew his sword and stepped forward with a fierce shout, "We are disciples of the Sword Union. If you Bloodfiery Legion folks dare to cause trouble, you're challenging the entire Sword Union. Can you handle the consequences?"With those words, the Bloodfiery Legion disciples immediately froze in their tracks. Their apprehension was evident as they looked around. They might disregard ordinary guilds, but the Sword Union held a different status. As one of the three major guilds in Dragonmarsh, its power and reputation far surpassed that of the Bloodfiery Legion. Thus, they wouldn't openly confront the Sword Union unless absolutely necessary."B
"Hey! Are you crazy? We agreed to sort out the trouble, and now you're only making it worse!" Ruby exploded after hearing Dustin's words. They had put a lot of effort into helping Dustin with his problem, but now he seemed completely indifferent. Despite everyone's efforts, he was adamant about not giving in to Kendricks and even seemed prepared to face him directly. Dustin's actions left her feeling frustrated. She also realized that if Kendricks got upset, they wouldn't stand a chance against him."Hey, kid! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Kendricks narrowed his eyes with a hint of menace creeping into his gaze. He had expected boldness, but Dustin's audacity caught him off guard."I know who you are. But I want to reiterate that Aldric's death isn't on me, regardless of what you think," Dustin replied calmly, showing no signs of backing down."Okay, fine!" Kendricks suddenly chuckled, his smile sending shivers. He glanced at Crystal and the others as he spoke.
"Anyone who doesn't want to end up six feet under, clear out! Don't blame me if you get caught in the crossfire and push daisies!" With that warning, the Bloodfiery Legion disciples cleared the area, preparing for the impending duel.They were all too familiar with the bone-chilling might of Kendricks. His blade aura alone could claim lives.As shouts erupted, the spectators scattered. Only Dustin and Kendricks stood within 300 feet apart, facing each other.One stood proudly as the eighth-ranked legend, a powerhouse in his own right. The other had recently defeated Marco, a rising star in their domain.Excitement surged as news of the impending duel spread. It even attracted numerous martial artists eager to witness the outcome firsthand."Everyone, what's your take on Dustin's chances against Kendricks's blade?""I'm not so sure! Kendricks is eighth on the Legendary List. He's formidable. If he's daring enough to issue the challenge, he must be confident in his victory!""Yo
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead
"This…" Dustin began.He hesitated on purpose and didn't give an immediate answer.Upon seeing him deep in thought, Nathaniel was convinced that Dustin was weighing the pros and cons. He leaned in slightly, his smile widening with anticipation. "You should know how much the Dracan essence means to me," he said. "If I can gather all the essences, it’d be like fate is on my side. My path to the throne would be unstoppable—and when that time comes, your reward will be waiting."As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Dustin as he searched for any sign of hesitation in his expression.Dustin looked up and met his eyes. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.He pressed his lips together and spoke slowly. "You're right, Your Highness. But it wasn't easy to find the Dracan essence. I went through quite a few twists and turns. Besides, if I give it to you, it might put me at odds with the other two princes."He paused deliberately and left the rest unsaid. Still, the concern
The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui
"Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the
"Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god
Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag